My experiences with "National" and "organized" multi-corporations that form fund-raising societies and associations to help people with multiple sclerosis, has been unpleasant and discouraging to say the least. I would love to see how they register, track, and resolve complaints. That is important for any organization so indebted to fund-raising. We donate money, we walk in "athons" but who is helped and how exactly?A poetry contest led me to a blog I had been following about The Myelin Repai... Read Full Story
Well, the wonderful National Multiple Sclerosis Society swiftly denied posting anything about the Voices of MS book. My local loser chapter has not (I don't think they ever have) answered my email. I swear, am I asking for money? No. A grant? No. I am OFFERING, their reply? "Don't care." Once again. Just amazing. No wonder we have gone decades without a cure, a cause, or sound evidence proven-long term medicine to stop MS. The Michael J Fox Foundation just started and is making huge strides. ... Read Full Story
In regards to the "Task Force" that gave its findings to our government, showing that in most cases a mammogram for women is not necessary until after age 49 ---I just have one thing to say. During my 18 years with the city of Seattle I was on several "Task Forces" and our recommendations were never carried out. In fact, it became obvious that we were formed only to say we were formed. People in power had already made their decisions. Read Full Story
Denzel Washington will be headed back to Broadway to star in August Wilson's play, Fences. I hope this leads to a movie starring Denzel. Fences is the story of a former baseball player now working as a garbage collector. At age 54, Washington is still one of the sexiest men alive! Read Full Story
Yesterday was flu shot day at my assisted living home. The small room was packed. I have made many friends here already. There are still many residents I don't know. It is exciting to think that each time I wander out, I may make a new friend. (Remembering all the names is another story--HA!)My wait wasn't long and I kidded the nurse right away by acting scared of needles. She became upset, saying it was all she had. I laughed, told her I was very used to needles, that I have MS and my medici... Read Full Story
Where was my mind after I was told I had MS? The MD who spoke too soon, the neurologist who sent me straight away to get evoked response potentials (testing how well my nerves--the eye, an extension of our brain, reacted to stimulus) and the MRI was done the next day.Then I had to wait a week, a loooong week. I guess, what I'm saying is---there wasn't much time for thinking about it. Since I was pretty convinced it was a brain tumor, all the strange body happenings over the years....I started... Read Full Story
No mammograms needed until age 50 and self exams are out the door. An "influential" federal panel has spoken. Let the money cutting costs of our new health care reform scared-insurance companies begin! And self exams? Whatever, whenever, seems not that big of a deal. Hot off the press, ladies. Read Full Story
During one of my last games of basketball with some co-workers, I messed up my knee. You know how it goes, after 30 the sports games without plenty of warm-ups make your body yell, "Hey! You're not 20 anymore and I'll prove it!" So, as is natural, I continued playing with the "trick" knee until it started acting up during every day activities, like taking out the garbage.By the time I was sitting in my doctor's office, wondering what pill might help me carry on, the knee seemed fine and I was... Read Full Story
Wills are our last chance to get real, tell it like it is, and slap the people who treated us like %^&*. I love that about wills. Someone who opened a car door for you just once over 50 years ago might get half your money. Your lover of 20 years, holding your hand at your dying bedside may get nothing, and the love of your life may become rich, both financially and by way of validation. What can't be spoken or acted upon in life, well, there is always that final will. I say YEAH! (There w... Read Full Story
Lately it seems that the news is horrible. "Little girl taken from her bed." "Boy trapped in balloon." "Psychiatrist soldier shoots 30 other soldiers." "Wife Fakes Kidnapping." You have heard them, " Drunken Mother and 4 children killed," "Boy set on fire my classmates," "Korean missiles aimed at Hawaii," never ending---and you start to look at your neighbors differently. You start to think, "If it could happen to them..."Then, in the days that follow, reporters start to do their JOB and inve... Read Full Story
